Waidi Shaibu, chief of army staff (COAS), has directed troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA to leave no stone unturned in the ongoing search-and-rescue operation for students abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) Maga, Kebbi.
On Monday, the gunmen killed Hassan Yakubu Makuku, the vice principal, and abducted 25 students during the attack.
Speaking during a visit to the state, Shaibu ordered the soldiers to intensify day and night operations until all the abducted schoolgirls are safely rescued.
He held an operational meeting with frontline commanders in Kebbi before addressing troops deployed in the search effort.
Shaibu reminded officers and soldiers that a ruthless determination to succeed is essential.
“You must continue day and night fighting. We must find these children,” he said.
“For the commanders here, you must leverage intelligence to conduct intelligence-based missions. It has become a pattern that bandits target soft targets. If they know you are in a location, they will not come there or face you in a fight and you can defeat them, can’t you?
“You must have all the commitment to make sure you succeed. Once you receive intelligence of something of this nature, you must act professionally and decisively. This is not just about our image; it is about doing our job properly.”
The army chief also held a separate engagement with local vigilantes and hunters supporting the operation.
